Poppinga Primed To Contribute

With the Packers transitioning to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Dom Capers, there were questions this offseason about where veteran linebacker Brady Poppinga would fit in the new system, especially after the team drafted Clay Matthews in the first round.

But Poppinga wasn't one of those people doubting his position with the team, and midway through the preseason, he is proving that he will be a factor on the defense again in 2009.

Throughout OTAs and mini-camp, second-year linebacker Jeremy Thompson worked at the starting right outside linebacker position with Matthews backing him up. Poppinga ran with the second unit at the left outside spot behind starter Aaron Kampman.

But early on in training camp, both Thompson and Matthews sustained injuries, with Matthews aggravating a hamstring injury originally sustained during OTAs and Thompson battling a shoulder stinger. Neither player has seen action in the preseason yet and both have missed sig..